The three steps taken before Shemoneh Esrei-Part 2

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The three steps taken before Shemoneh Esrei-Part 2
Prior to beginning Shemoneh Esrei, one is to take three steps backwards, and then three steps forwards, as explained in Part 1. The following are Q&A relevant to this custom:  

                                        Q&A

When is one to take the three steps in Shacharis?
The three steps forward is taken after Goal Yisrael even by Shacharis.[1] However, some Poskim[2] rule that by Shacharis, the three steps backwards is to be taken as soon as one stands up by the words of Tehilos Lakeil Elyon, and one then takes three steps forward after Goal Yisrael.[3] Many, however, are accustomed to take both three steps backwards and forwards only after Goal Yisrael, and so was witnessed to be the Rebbe’s custom.[4]

With which foot is one to begin to take the three steps back and forward?[5]
One is to do so with his right foot. [However, one who is left footed, is to use his left foot.[6]]

Is one to take three steps back if someone in back of him already began Shemoneh Esrei?[7]
If the person in back of him already began Shemoneh Esrei, then one is not to take three steps backwards if he is within one’s four Amos.

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[1] Tehila Ledavid 111:1; See also Admur 111:1 regarding Adniy Sefasaiy Tiftach
The reason it is not an interval: As the steps are done in preparation, and for the need of Shemoneh Esrei. [Tehila Ledavid ibid]
[2] Kitzur SHU”A 18:2
[3] The reason: This is done in order to diminish in a Hefsek between Goal Yisrael and Shemoneh Esrei.
[4] See Tehila Ledavid ibid from whom we can imply that just as the three steps forward may be taken after Goal Yisrael, and is not considered a Hefsek, so too with the three steps backwards; See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid
[5] See Maharil in name of Orchos Chaim, brought in Beis Yosef 123, based on Yuma 55b that all turns should be done to the right; See Admur 123:5 and M”A 123:10 for the reasons for why after Shemoneh Esrei we step back with our left foot. Now, theses reasons imply that before Shemoneh Esrei one is to specifically move his right foot first; Piskeiy Teshuvos 95:2 in name of Orech Neman 95:3
[6] See Admur 123:5; Tzemach Tzedek Orach Chaim 4:6 and 5:8 regarding Netilas Yadayim, and based on Admur 183:7 that a lefty is to hold the Kos Shel Bracha in his left hand; 651:14 that a lefty is to hold the Lulav in his left hand
[7] See Admur 102:4-5 and Michaber 102:4 that it is forbidden to walk in front of the Davener, within four Amos; Elya Raba 95:3 who writes that seemingly one is not require to take three steps back if he is by the wall and the like, and one who is Davening Shemoneh Esrei, of which it is forbidden to take three steps back, is no different; See Shevet Hakehasi 2:49; Halichos Shlomo 8:33 in name of Rav SZ”A; Piskeiy Teshuvos 95:2 footnote 17

ore Shemoneh Esrei-Part 2
Prior to beginning Shemoneh Esrei, one is to take three steps backwards, and then three steps forwards, as explained in Part 1. The following are Q&A relevant to this custom:  

                                        Q&A

When is one to take the three steps in Shacharis?
The three steps forward is taken after Goal Yisrael even by Shacharis.[1] However, some Poskim[2] rule that by Shacharis, the three steps backwards is to be taken as soon as one stands up by the words of Tehilos Lakeil Elyon, and one then takes three steps forward after Goal Yisrael.[3] Many, however, are accustomed to take both three steps backwards and forwards only after Goal Yisrael, and so was witnessed to be the Rebbe’s custom.[4]

With which foot is one to take the three steps back and forward?[5]
One is to do so with his right foot. [However, one who is left footed, is to use his left foot.[6]]

Is one to take three steps back if someone in back of him already began Shemoneh Esrei?[7]
If the person in back of him already began Shemoneh Esrei, then one is not to take three steps backwards if he is within one’s four Amos.

[1] Tehila Ledavid 111:1; See also Admur 111:1 regarding Adniy Sefasaiy Tiftach
The reason it is not an interval: As the steps are done in preparation, and for the need of Shemoneh Esrei. [Tehila Ledavid ibid]
[2] Kitzur SHU”A 18:2
[3] The reason: This is done in order to diminish in a Hefsek between Goal Yisrael and Shemoneh Esrei.
[4] See Tehila Ledavid ibid from whom we can imply that just as the three steps forward may be taken after Goal Yisrael, and is not considered a Hefsek, so too with the three steps backwards; See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid
[5] See Maharil in name of Orchos Chaim, brought in Beis Yosef 123, based on Yuma 55b that all turns should be done to the right; See Admur 123:5 and M”A 123:10 for the reasons for why after Shemoneh Esrei we step back with our left foot. Now, theses reasons imply that before Shemoneh Esrei one is to specifically move his right foot first; Piskeiy Teshuvos 95:2 in name of Orech Neman 95:3
[6] See Admur 123:5; Tzemach Tzedek Orach Chaim 4:6 and 5:8 regarding Netilas Yadayim, and based on Admur 183:7 that a lefty is to hold the Kos Shel Bracha in his left hand; 651:14 that a lefty is to hold the Lulav in his left hand
[7] See Admur 102:4-5 and Michaber 102:4 that it is forbidden to walk in front of the Davener, within four Amos; Elya Raba 95:3 who writes that seemingly one is not require to take three steps back if he is by the wall and the like, and one who is Davening Shemoneh Esrei, of which it is forbidden to take three steps back, is no different; See Shevet Hakehasi 2:49; Halichos Shlomo 8:33 in name of Rav SZ”A; Piskeiy Teshuvos 95:2 footnote 17

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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